Phy 432 Problem Set 5 Feb 27, 2009

1. Plot x(t) vs t and x(t) vs ẋ(t) for a classical harmonic oscillator. Draw
2-3 different paths on each plot, along which the classical action can be
easily evalutated, and carry out the evaluation for each of them. Verify
that the action is the least for the path satisfying the classical equation
of motion.

2. Go through the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equation(s), explain-

ing (in words and images) the signifance of all the variations/variational
derivatives used by the derivation.

3. Write a pseudocode for the evaluation of (a) an integral over a single

variable (b) a mutliple (n-dimensional) integral (c) a path integral.

4. (a) Write out the sequence of instructions you would give a computer
for calculating the n-th order perturbation to a unperturbed energy
level. Can you calculate the n-th order correction without calculating
all the lower order corrections?
(b) Calculate the first and second order perturbations of the mth energy
level of the linear harmonic oscillator by an additional energy H1 =
bx2 /2. Can you carry the perturbative calculation forward to the nth
order? Determine the answer to this question by independently noting
that the perturbation is of the same form as the harmonic potential
itself.

5. What are the expansion parameters for the Zeeman and Stark effects?
How large are they in magnitude? How large are the effects themselves?
(Go through the Noble Lectures by Zeeman and Stark to see what it
took to pick the effects out).

6. Find the first-order Stark effect for a hydrogen atom in the state n = 3.
Sketch the arrangement of the levels and state the quantum numbers
associated with each.